Southend Early Autism Support (SEAS) Course
The Early Years SEND Support Service offer a course for parents of children under 5 years old within the Southend area with either a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition or who present with social communication difficulties that have been identified by a recognised professional.
The course gives parents the chance to speak to professionals directly to learn more about the following areas and find useful ways of helping their child.
Topics covered
The topics covered on the course are:
- an introduction to Autism with Tracy Bakonyvari and Helen Smith-Vicary, and a member of the Educational Psychology Service
- understanding your child's communication with the Speech and Language Therapy Service
- feeding and toileting support with the Play and Development Advisory Team and Continence Service
- sensory needs and play with Tracy Bakonyvari and Helen Smith-Vicary
- sleep and behaviour support with the Educational Psychology Service and the Play and Development Advisory Team
- supporting your child's play with the Early Years Special Educational Needs Support Service
- support available to families in the area with the Special Educational Needs and Disability Independent Advisory Service (SENDiass), Little Heroes ASD Support Group, Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSIF) and the SEND Local Offer Team
Course frequency and details
Two courses run each year online via Microsoft Teams.
This course is made up of 6 sessions, each lasting 1 hour, where parents get to meet professionals and ask any questions they have on supporting their child.
Each week the learning and information is sent home to parents/carers and is then discussed at the following weeks session.
How to join the course
You can be referred by any professional working with your child if they feel that this would be the right course for you. This can include the Play and Development team, Paediatrician or Speech and Language Therapist.
Feedback from parents and carers who attended our course
I found it exceptionally helpful and have saved the videos to refer back to later on!
Thank you so much for organising this it has been so nice to speak to other parents and professionals!
Contact details for more information
TracyAbbott@southend.gov.uk or 07442 866746
HelenVicary@southend.gov.uk or 07918 223834